Across the globe, childhood play is shifting from the playground to the screen, raising concerns about movement, coordination, and attention. swip SA, in partnership with CSEM, has created a screen-free game that turns movement into an adventure and helps children develop key skills.
Children worldwide are spending more time in front of screens, a trend linked to slower physical development and shorter attention spans. Instead of fighting screens with yet another app, swip SA imagined a physical game so engaging that children would simply forget about their devices. That idea led swip SA to CSEM, and later to Decathlon Switzerland, which is supporting the product’s launch. swip SA and CSEM set themselves an ambitious goal: build a game that would make children aged 4 to 12 move more, think more, and develop their skills while having fun.
The system had to be safe, strong enough for daily use in schools and clubs, and affordable so it could reach as many families as possible. At the heart of the solution is the first of two inventions co-developed with CSEM and patented by swip SA: a motorized mechanism, a long rod that rotates like the hand of a clock sweeping around a dial and can also move up and down. Sometimes children jump over it, sometimes they duck under or dodge it. “The rules are instantly clear,” notes Raphaël Kaufmann, Chief Executive Officer, swip SA, “don’t let the rod touch you and follow the missions.” Behind this simplicity lies a carefully engineered system of motors, sensors, and embedded intelligence that keeps the movement fluid, safe, and reliable.
Beneath the players’ feet lies the second key innovation and patent: a connected mat that uses touch‑sensitive and position‑detecting sensors to detect where each child is standing, stepping, or jumping in real time. Acting like a giant controller, it lets children select games, change speed or direction, and confirm choices simply by stepping on symbols. “Sensors combine information from the mat and the moving rod so that every attempt, success, and miss is tracked precisely, without any cameras, tablets, or wearable gadgets,” explains Reza Safai‑Naeeni, Project Manager, CSEM. “Because the system continuously feels how children move, it can gently adapt the speed, height, and patterns of the spinning rod and the missions to each child’s abilities.”
CSEM’s role went far beyond building a first prototype. Its engineers helped swip SA refine the concept, develop the moving parts and electronics, test safety and reliability, and prepare the solution for large‑scale production. Working with partners such as HE-ARC, Entrée de Jeux, Ekio, and Fauvea Studios, the consortium moved through several prototypes and ran tests with children, parents, and teachers to fine-tune the controls, gameplay, and game content. The resulting product was then showcased at international technology and toy fairs, gaining visibility and generating commercial interest.
Today, the product is fully developed and ready for the market. Decathlon Switzerland has confirmed the product’s commercial potential, giving this Swiss-made innovation a launchpad through a major sports retailer. swip SA has opened a new segment at the intersection of sport, education, and entertainment, supported by CSEM technology and know-how. As the product reaches more schools, clubs, and families, it will offer a concrete way to encourage physical activity and shared play, supporting healthier lifestyles and more balanced digital habits.
We turned to CSEM to transform an ambitious idea into a reliable, industry-ready product. Their pragmatic mindset, technological excellence, and sharp understanding of our needs made all the difference. It’s a partnership that transformed our vision into an exceptional Swiss-made product.
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